Deputy head of legal | Corporación América Airports
Carolina Rodriguez Zunino
Deputy head of legal | Corporación América Airports
Team size: Seven
How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience?
When facing periods of instability or crisis, I focus on staying close to the business: understanding its pressures, anticipating risks, and providing legal advice that is both pragmatic and aligned with the company’s objectives. I don’t believe in paralysing the organisation with theory. My aim is to create legal strategies that protect, but also enable decision-making and operational continuity.
The airport business never stops; it is an essential activity that must remain in motion regardless of external circumstances. In this context, the legal department acts as a key connector across areas, and the corporate legal team sets the tone and direction for local legal teams through policies designed to be applied in real operational settings. Policies only work when they come from genuine dialogue, a deep understanding of the business, and a clear purpose.
My role is to translate legal complexity into actionable guidance, especially when timing is critical. This means being part of the core team, helping navigate uncertainty with structure, and ensuring the legal position is fully aligned with the broader business strategy and long-term resilience of the organisation.
What are the main cases or transactions that you have been involved in recently?
I recently participated in a cross-border transaction involving the acquisition of the remaining minority interest in a key subsidiary operating in the Italian airport sector. The deal was structured as a share swap, with newly issued shares of the parent company delivered as consideration. In addition to negotiating the terms directly with the counterparty, the transaction required complex legal structuring and coordination across multiple jurisdictions, including liaising with external auditors and consultants to ensure proper accounting treatment and compliance. This allowed us to fully consolidate our stake in a strategic asset, in line with the company’s long-term growth objectives.
I have also participated in several airport tender processes. These involved negotiations with local partners regarding consortium terms, as well as the review and analysis of concession agreement terms, among other aspects.
What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company?
Sustainability is a core pillar of our company’s long-term strategy and has been fully integrated into our day-to-day operations. We have implemented concrete measures across environmental responsibility, ethical business conduct, responsible supply chain practices, and corporate governance. This includes incorporating ESG criteria into decision-making processes, assessing the environmental impact of our projects, and actively engaging with stakeholders to promote sustainable practices throughout our value chain.
In the airport industry, sustainability is particularly critical given its environmental footprint and high regulatory expectations. As such, our company regularly publishes sustainability reports and is actively working to align with evolving EU and US regulatory frameworks, including climate-related disclosures and environmental performance standards.
As Deputy Head of Legal, I play an active role in shaping and implementing these sustainability initiatives. I ensure our activities comply with applicable regulations and international sustainability standards by embedding tailored contractual provisions, leading due diligence processes, and fostering a culture of compliance and integrity. I also act as a strategic partner across legal, operational, and sustainability teams, bringing a forward-looking legal perspective that supports the company’s responsible and sustainable growth while keeping the Board and senior management informed throughout the process.
Deputy general counsel | Corporación América Airports
Deputy general counsel | Corporación América Airports